ISSUP Malaysia recently held a series of productive meetings at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) to explore institutional collaboration towards the proposed ISSUP Borneo Conference 2028 in Kota Kinabalu.
The ISSUP Malaysia delegation, comprising Director Cindy Biding and the Operations Lead of OAPTAR, met with senior representatives and academics from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and the Faculty of Psychology and Social Work. The visit was coordinated by Dr. Mohd Nazri bin Mohd, Head of Family Medicine at UMS.
The discussions reflected a strong shared commitment to developing a conference that extends beyond a conventional scientific gathering. The proposed conference is envisioned as a regional platform for knowledge exchange, workforce development, interdisciplinary collaboration and meaningful community contribution in drug demand reduction.
Among the ideas discussed was a “Road to ISSUP Borneo 2028” series comprising webinars, podcasts and smaller professional and academic events leading up to the conference. These activities would help build regional and international engagement, identify emerging priorities, connect potential speakers and partners, and shape the eventual scientific programme.
UMS academics also proposed a pre-conference capacity-building workshop for school counsellors as a contribution to the host community. The proposed initiative would strengthen the ability of school counsellors to support prevention, early identification, appropriate intervention and referral for substance-use and related mental-health concerns among young people.
Discussions with psychiatrists Dr. Nicholas Pang and his colleague—both ISSUP members—highlighted opportunities to draw upon international professional networks and strengthen the scientific and mental-health dimensions of the conference. Potential future collaboration on interventions addressing alcohol-related problems was also explored.
The visit included engagement with the Specialty Program for Alcohol and Drugs Abuse (SPADA), as well as discussions with Dr. Patricia Joseph Kimong on the possible involvement of postgraduate students as conference associates and undergraduate students as conference volunteers. Postgraduate students could support research, documentation and conference proceedings, while undergraduates could contribute to registration, ushering, session support and other operational functions.
Another proposed signature feature is the inaugural Asia-Pacific Excellence in Drug Demand Reduction Awards & Gala, which would recognise outstanding individuals and organisations whose leadership, innovation, sustained service and demonstrable impact have advanced prevention, treatment, recovery, reintegration and community wellbeing across the region.
The visit demonstrated the value of bringing together medicine, psychiatry, family medicine, psychology, social work, research, education and community practice. ISSUP Malaysia looks forward to continuing its engagement with UMS and developing a strong institutional foundation for an inclusive, scientifically credible and regionally significant ISSUP Borneo Conference 2028.